Following SI Elmbridge\u2019s successful motion at the Federation Conference in Gateshead in 2006 \u201cClubs across the Federation each endeavour to form a link with a school to work constructively to assist in the development and education of girls or women\u201d was the starting point for establishing a formal link with a school in our Borough.\u00a0 Annette Calver, Headteacher of Burhill Community Infant School in Hersham came to talk to the members about ways Soroptimist International of Elmbridge could make a link with the school to support their educational activities.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In September 2006 the Government announced plans for Extended Schools that will offer a range of services to meet the needs of children, families and the local community.\u00a0 Burhill School was identified as an Extended School with a Children\u2019s Centre offering high quality childcare, parenting support, easy referral to specialist services and a programme of activities including a Breakfast Club and an After School Club.\u00a0 Twelve members volunteered their services and for almost three years have been listening to children read, reading stories and using their artistic skills to support the children and staff.\u00a0 In the recent excellent Ofsted Inspection Report it was noted that \u201cThe regular voluntary support given to children with their reading contributes well to the good progress that they make.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Members also help with the Baby Clinic held in the Children\u2019s Centre by providing support to Mothers who have more than one child and find it difficult to perform a multitude of tasks as well as ensuring their children are safe.\u00a0 The Centre offers a seamless integrated service and information for children under five and their families.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Burhill School also benefit from the support of members of SI Elmbridge on Make a Difference Day \u2013 the day set aside each year to encourage people all over the UK to volunteer in their local community.\u00a0 A strong team arrive early in the morning with gardening tools, plants, pots and compost and spend the day working really hard tidying up the window boxes and flowerbeds and making everywhere look very smart.\u00a0 Five trees have also been planted in the school grounds to compensate for the carbon footprints of members.\u00a0 The gardening now continues throughout the year.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
All our members are so enthusiastic about this Education Project \u2013 two members are now School Governors and strong links have been formed with the children they support \u2013 the children\u2019s faces light up as they enter the class room \u2013 it has been a most rewarding achievement.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
SI of Elmbridge continue to support the work of an ex member (who has moved to another club) who supports schools in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in South Africa. She takes teenagers from UK schools to work with the local children in their schools every summer and also provides facilities through funds donated by supporters. On hearing that many of the children cannot concentrate on their work through hunger it was decided to provide funds to supply breakfast to the children. Working with Alresford Rotarians a special raffle was organised. The first prize was an apartment in Cannes for a week and there were 12 runners up prizes of very fine bottles of claret. There were only 100 tickets at \u00a310 each, raising \u00a31000, which will go a long way in South Africa.<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Following SI Elmbridge\u2019s successful motion at the Federation Conference in Gateshead in 2006 \u201cClubs across…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archive"],"yoast_head":"\n